BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – All disaster response units under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Negros Occidental will be on “blue alert” for Holy Week.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his directive, said the PDRRMC should heighten its alert status and intensify road safety measures from 8 a.m. of April 5 until April 10.
All city and municipal DRRMOs were also ordered to deploy responders and resources in different areas of convergence such as churches and resorts.
Aside from the PDRRMC, agencies such as the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fire Protection have also been on heightened alert.
NOCPPO and BCPO will assign their personnel to guard churches, terminals and resorts. They have also instructed police chiefs to place help desks in their respective areas of operation.
The PCG, meanwhile, strengthened its monitoring of seaports and issued warnings against colorum boats eyeing to ferry travelers to neighboring islands or conduct unauthorized leisure cruises.
Moreover, the PCG has started inspecting various resorts to make sure they have certified lifeguards./PN
